What will happen to the millions of T.V. sets that are outdated and won't function come 2009?

Question

With more and more T.V. sets floating around the United States that have become obsolete, what are the plans for recycling the parts and maintaing that waste? I'm sure this incorporates many industries: technology, waste, and science. Details as to possible avenues that might be exploded due to the abundance and urgency of safely recycling parts and not doing damage to the enviornment are critical in this area. Thanks!

Answer 1

Through your latest government debacle, millions of your hard earned tax dollars will go to foriegn countries as $40 subsidies to buy converter boxes from Asia.

(Just like the $3,000 subsidy to buy Japanese hybrids is using our own tax dollars to put Americans out of work and corn based fuel subsidies are causing our beef and dairy prices to sky-rocket!  Those idiots need to get a clue.)

Answer 2

I do not plan to upgrade,just get a box I don't watch that much TV.So mine is not obsolete.What I resent is that it should cost me anything,I could care less of the digital,my antenna works just fine. and its free.I think they should GIVE me a box.

Answer 3

i get them  muuhhahahahha

Answer 4

They'll wind up in third world countries like a the West's "recycled" elctronics.

Answer 5

They should ship them with old vcrs and a copy of Algore's inconvenient truth to the third world to propagandize the masses.

Answer 6

Some if not all may not work after February 18th, 2009.

A solution to the possible problem is purchasing a converter box to help receive the signal from the TV stations. Here's a link that will give more information below.

Answer 7

You can buy a over priced digital converter.

TVs using cable will not be obsoleted as most cable or satellite is digital now and converted to analog in your cable/satellite box.

The obsolescence will come from people still using external antenna for reception.

Answer 8

THE TELEVISIONS ARE NOT AND WILL NOT BE OBSOLETE!  

There is a lot of misinformation going around about this issue.  Retailers would love to sell lots of new TVs and/or other pieces of equipment and some are generating misleading ads.  The TVs will still be operable in '09 and not all households will need to purchase equipment in order to upgrade.  In addition, that needed equipment does not necessarily have to be an expensive purchase!

As the manager of apartment complexes for the elderly or disabled, I was contacted in December by an agent of the FCC regarding this matter.  They provided me with informational packets they are sending to those who want the "real" scoop on this issue.  The FCC is trying to target elderly households especially to help them understand what will be required.  They are aware the public is being misled and many vulnerable (i.e., the elderly or disabled, and others) consumers are being taken advantage of in this regard.  In addition, there are funds that will be available to each household who needs to upgrade.  This will be in the form of some type of coupon to be used to purchase the needed upgrade equipment.  The change does not go into effect until February 2009 as you stated, so there is plenty of time to get the correct info--that info should NOT come through retailers who may or may not have their facts right or the best interest of the consumer in mind.  I highly recommend you contact the FCC to get more information before making any purchases or assuming your current television will become obsolete!

Answer 9

What about exporting them to countries that haven't upgraded to the HD system?

Answer 10

send them on planes to Irac

Answer 11

They won't be outdated.  They just need a converter box.  They'll start out at about $20.00, but I'll bet that you'll be able to get them on-line at eBay for under $10 a few months later.  

Don't sweat it.  It's going to be better.  No snow, better picture.  If you have cable or dish, there's nothing at all you need to do.

Answer 12

I really don't know. Very interesting question

Answer 13

The owners of those out of date TV's will have to buy one of those digitel boxes, you can get one at radio shack for about 40 or 50 dollars if not there best buy or somewhere like that

Answer 14

By the time all of them break and become unrepairable I anticipate a recycling business to spring up since trash collectors will quit taking them because of the lead content.  Some will get the lead and glass recycled and many will end up in the rural creekbeds next to those mattresses and washing machines the garbage man wouldn't haul off.

Answer 15

This is a follow-up to the post by the apt manager and others above about the converters.

Here's an article on google news about the $40 coupons for the converters:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iiNo8...

And here is the direct site to request a coupon:

https://www.dtv2009.gov/

Note: the article says that if you have cable or satellite you won't need to worry about the conversion (I'm assuming the provider will do that for you). So the only people who need to worry about conversion are those who have analog tv's and use an antenna (aka rabbit ears) to receive their over-the-air tv signal. I happen to be one of those people and I just requested my coupon. The site says the converters won't be in stores until Feb/March and they'll send the coupons then.

Answer 16

I saw this morning on CNN that there will be a converter, with $40. given to help pay for it in the US. If memory serves.